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RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Pentagon chief warns China 'preparing' to use military force in Asia
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia, vowing the United States was "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pentagon chief made the remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars with Beijing on trade, technology, and influence over strategic corners of the globe. Since taking office in January, Mr Trump has launched a trade war with China, sought to curb its access to key AI technologies and deepened security ties with allies such as the Philippines, which is engaged in escalating territorial disputes with Beijing. "The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent," Mr Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue attended by defence officials from around the world. Beijing is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific", he added. Mr Hegseth warned the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal". Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island, often described as preparations for a blockade or invasion. The United States was "reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China", Hegseth said, calling on US allies and partners in Asia to swiftly upgrade their defences in the face of mounting threats. 'Wake-up call' Mr Hegseth described China's conduct as a "wake-up call", accusing Beijing of endangering lives with cyberattacks, harassing its neighbours, and "illegally seizing and militarising lands" in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire disputed waterway, through which more than 60% of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. It has clashed repeatedly with the Philippines in the strategic waters in recent months, with the flashpoint set to dominate discussions at the Singapore defence forum, according to US officials. As Mr Hegseth spoke in Singapore, China's military announced that its navy and air force were carrying out routine "combat readiness patrols" around the Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks Beijing disputes with the Philippines. "China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has only increased in recent years," Casey Mace, charge d'affaires at the US embassy in Singapore, told journalists ahead of the meeting. "I think that this type of forum is exactly the type of forum where we need to have an exchange on that." Beijing has not sent any top defence ministry officials to the summit, dispatching a delegation from the People's Liberation Army National Defence University instead. Mr Hegseth's hard-hitting address drew a critical reaction from Chinese analysts at the conference. Da Wei, director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University told reporters the speech was "very unfriendly" and "very confrontational", accusing Washington of double standards in demanding Beijing respect its neighbours while bullying its own - including Canada and Greenland. Former Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, from the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University said that training drills did not mean China would invade Taiwan, saying the government wanted "peaceful reunification". Mr Hegseth's comments came after Mr Trump stoked new trade tensions with China, arguing that Beijing had "violated" a deal to de-escalate tariffs as the two sides appeared deadlocked in negotiations. The world's two biggest economies had agreed to temporarily lower eye-watering tariffs they had imposed on each other, pausing them for 90 days. 'Priority theatre' Mr Hegseth said the Indo-Pacific was "America's priority theatre", pledging to ensure "China cannot dominate us - or our allies and partners". He said the United States had stepped up cooperation with allies including the Philippines and Japan, and reiterated Mr Trump's vow that "China will not invade (Taiwan) on his watch". But he called on US partners in the region to ramp up spending on their militaries and "quickly upgrade their own defences". "Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example," Mr Hegseth said, citing pledges by NATO members including Germany to move toward Trump's spending target of five percent of GDP. "Deterrence doesn't come on the cheap." US 'tough love' on defence better than no love - Kallas EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, also in Singapore, said the Trump adminstration's "tough love" had helped push the continent to beef up its defences. "It's love nonetheless, so it's better than no love," Ms Kallas quipped when asked about Mr Hegseth's speech. The EU's relationship with the US was not broken, Ms Kallas stressed, saying she spoke to Ms Hegseth yesterday. "You heard his speech. He was actually quite positive about Europe, so there's definitely some love there," she said. Mr Trump has consistently pressed NATO countries to increase defence spending, asking for as much as 5% of GDP and saying Washington will no longer tolerate freeloaders. Ms Kallas said: "There are different countries in Europe and some of us have realised a long time ago that we need to invest in defence." "The European Union has shifted gear and reimagined our own paradigm as a peace project backed up with hard defence," she said. "It is a good thing we are doing more, but what I want to stress is that the security of Europe and the security of the Pacific is very much interlinked," she added. Ms Kallas pointed to Ukraine, where North Korean soldiers were already operating and China was providing military hardware to Russia. "There were some very strong messages in the US secretary of defense speech regarding China," Ms Kallas said. "I think again, if you are worried about China, you should be worried about Russia," she said. Ms Kallas said the EU wanted to build "partnerships in our mutual interest" in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the field of defence and economy. But the EU was also bringing economic power to the table, she said. Ms Kallas disagreed with suggestions that the US should focus on the Indo-Pacific region and Europe concentrate on its own patch. "I really think if you look at the economic might of China, I think... the big countries or the superpowers sometimes overestimate their own strength," she said. China's economic dominance could only be tackled together with "like-minded partners like the United States, like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea... and Singapore," said Ms Kallas.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘Killing is part of their life': The men raised on violence who are both perpetrators and victims as South Sudan faces return to civil war
The trauma of war Ten years ago, while conducting fieldwork in Nepal for my PhD and book, I interviewed more than 60 former members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to examine how their participation in the civil war – known as the People's War – affected notions of masculinity within the armed group. While I never asked about trauma or psychological difficulties, it became clear these were present for many of the men – just never explicitly spoken about. Instead, they would talk about their sense of disillusionment or lack of ability to fulfil societal expectations of masculinity – all the while, carefully keeping their emotions in check. These emotions would only surface in more casual conversations over tea or food, following the formal interviews. In these moments, the men revealed a more vulnerable side – often expressing sadness, frustration, and a desire to share their more personal stories. It was a clear shift from the displays of hardened masculinity in their narratives of the battlefield. Some of these informal exchanges hinted at signs of PTSD – for example, in their descriptions of flashbacks, sleep difficulties and short temperedness. One young man who was extremely polite and courteous became very fidgety after the end of the interview. He told me: 'In the night I can't sleep, because I hear bomb blasts inside my head.' Another, clearly proud of his role in the People's War, recounted his bravery on the battlefield. Yet, when he spoke of the six months of torture he had endured in police custody, his composure faltered and he struggled to hold back tears. He showed me a photo of his three-year-old child, saying: 'This is why I will never return to battle.' What I encountered was men who appeared uneasy about expressing emotions as this runs contrary to masculine expectations, but were also frustrated at a lack of outlets to tell their story. During one interview with a former PLA member in the western district of Bardiya, I noticed a group of ex-PLA fighters gathered at the boundary of his home after they had heard an interview was taking place. As my interpreter and I were leaving, a thin man at the front of the crowd began shouting aggressively at us. Having initially assumed his anger was directed at my presence in the area, I realised it stemmed from his frustration at not being selected for an interview. 'Why does everyone always want to interview you?' he shouted at the man I had just spoken to. The former fighter's anger, fuelled by alcohol, appeared to reflect his frustration at lacking a platform to share his own story. From Nepal in 2016 to South Sudan in 2024, amid the violence and trauma of war and the daily expectations of masculinity associated with being a provider and protector, there appeared to be few outlets through which these men could talk freely about their emotions, tell their stories, and admit their mental health difficulties. Many of the men interviewed in South Sudan had been involved in violent clashes involving killings at some point in their lives. In interviews carried out in Kapoeta North, a county in eastern Equatoria, some men reported having constant flashbacks to the sounds of gunshots – when they tried to sleep at night, these sounds would 'become real', stopping them getting any proper rest: 'Sometimes you can wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself trembling as if these people are coming for you.' One man explained how he would get up in the night to follow a 'black shadow' like a ghost. When community members would run after him to stop him, he would become 'hostile and behave like he wants to kill everyone' – because, he explained, he saw his friend being killed on the battlefield and the memory of this would not leave him, especially in the night. A woman described how, when young men are involved in 'killing', their 'mind is not functioning well.' Contextualising this claim she explained: 'There was this man who got traumatised due to the ongoing conflict of raiding. He fought many battles until the gunshot sound affected his brain and made him crazy.' She then described a man who could not accept his friend had died in a cattle camp raid and insisted on returning to the battlefield, even though the community told him not to. 'After confirming [his friend's death] he ran mad and became confused. We say that such a person had his heart broken by the incident he witnessed, and we say he is mad.' Men whose companions have been killed can become fixated on revenge, as Sebit explains, 'It will torture their mind until they go and avenge the death of the person that was killed.' Some will encourage them to take revenge but others, like Lokwi, are trying to discourage revenge killings and working towards peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.
CNA
7 hours ago
- General
- CNA
China rejects 'groundless accusations' at Shangri-La Dialogue, says it opposes unilateralism, hegemonic bullying
SINGAPORE: China's top official at a global defence dialogue on Saturday (May 31) rejected 'accusations' made against the country as unfounded and politically motivated, and asserted its commitment to protecting and improving regional security. 'We do not accept groundless accusations against China. Some of these claims are completely fabricated, some distort the truth, and some are outright cases of 'the thief crying thief',' said Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, who is leading a delegation from the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 'They are essentially aimed at provoking conflict, creating division, inciting confrontation, and destabilising the Asia-Pacific,' he said, adding that such actions 'go against the tide of the times, are unpopular, and will not succeed.' Speaking at a session titled 'Cooperative maritime security in the Asia-Pacific', Hu said maritime security in the region remains 'generally stable' and the South China Sea remains 'one of the world's safest and busiest sea lanes' for navigation. He also said China proposes upholding 'true multilateralism' and preserving maritime security order in the Asia-Pacific. 'We support the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in Asia-Pacific governance. We oppose unilateralism, hegemonic bullying, and turning Asia-Pacific waters into arenas for power games,' he added. 'We firmly oppose illegal actions that sow division, obstruct reunification, and harm sovereign nations' core interests.' Hu did not specify which countries or which accusations he was rebutting. But earlier in the day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had warned of the 'threat' China poses as he called on allies in the Indo-Pacific to spend more on their own defence needs. 'China's army is rehearsing for the real deal,' Hegseth said in his speech. 'We are not going to sugarcoat it – the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.' Hegseth said the US would continue to strengthen its overseas military posture in response to what he described as intensifying threats from Beijing, particularly its assertiveness over Taiwan. China's military has repeatedly simulated scenarios resembling a blockade of the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. The US, while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity, has pledged to support Taiwan's ability to defend itself. Besides Taiwan Strait tensions, China also has overlapping claims with various parties including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia in the South China Sea, a vital waterway for global trade. The Shangri-la Dialogue is a key annual defence summit organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Held from May 30 to June 1 this year, it brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and senior officials from nearly 50 countries. Hu on Saturday also emphasised the need for constructive engagement rather than confrontation at the forum. 'The original intention of holding this meeting is to address problems, not create them; to reduce differences, not widen them. There should be frank and sincere exchanges,' he said. He was also asked about the absence of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun from the Shangri-la Dialogue this year. 'China attaches great importance to (the event) and has consistently sent delegations to participate over the years,' Hu replied. It sends delegations of different levels from year to year, and this should be seen as part of normal operational arrangements, Hu said. 'This in no way affects our ability to articulate our national defence policies, engage in communication with various parties, or enhance mutual understanding,' he said. 'Objectively speaking, I was entrusted to come here today to share our views and engage with all of you. I believe everyone has clearly heard and understood our genuine position.'
Muscat Daily
7 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Shangri-La Dialogue: US Defence Secretary warns of ‘imminent' China threat
Singapore – United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Saturday cautioned that China was 'credibly preparing to potentially use military force' in a bid to reorder the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Hegseth was speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defence forum, being held in Singapore. China's army is 'rehearsing for the real deal', the Pentagon chief said, highlighting how the Indo-Pacific region was a priority for President Donald Trump's administration. 'We are not going to sugarcoat it – the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent,' he said. Call to boost defence spending Hegseth reassured Washington's allies in the Indo-Pacific region that they would not be abandoned to tackle the growing military and economic pressures from Beijing. He called on the Asian allies to bolster their own defence spending, adding that 'deterrence doesn't come on the cheap'. 'It's hard to believe a little bit… that I'm saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example,' said Hegseth, pointing to pledges by NATO members including Germany to move toward Trump's spending target of 5% of GDP, which is a higher percentage of GDP than the US currently spends on defence. Hegseth on China's ambitions Hegseth on Saturday said any attempt by China to invade Taiwan 'would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world'. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be able to take Taiwan by 2027, a deadline which experts view more as an aspirational goal than a hard war deadline. Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory. The US defence secretary reiterated Trump's remark that China would not conquer Taiwan under Trump's watch. Hegseth also called out China for its power designs in Latin America, particularly its efforts to step up its influence around the Panama Canal. No top Chinese official at summit Beijing, which sends its defence minister to the annual conference, put forth a lower-level delegation this year, snubbing Washington over Trump's tariff war. 'We are here this morning. And somebody else isn't,' Hegseth remarked, with the US delegation saying that they intended to capitalise on China's absence. The Chinese delegation, which was composed of lower-level officers from the National Defence University, asked the US Defence Secretary how committed his country would be to regional alliances. China has a stronger influence in some nations of the region. Hegseth said the US was open to engaging with nations willing to work with it. 'We are not going to look only inside the confines of how previous administrations looked at this region,' he said. 'We're opening our arms to countries across the spectrum – traditional allies, non-traditional allies.' DW
Canada Standard
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Pentagon chief warns China 'preparing' to use military force in Asia
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Saturday that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia, vowing the United States was "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pentagon chief made the remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars with Beijing on trade, technology, and influence over strategic corners of the globe. Since taking office in January, Trump has launched a trade war with China, sought to curb its access to key AI technologies and deepened security ties with allies such as the Philippines, which is engaged in escalating territorial disputes with Beijing. "The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent," Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue attended by defence officials from around the world. Beijing is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific", he added. Hegseth warned the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal". Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island, often described as preparations for a blockade or invasion. The United States was "reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China", Hegseth said, calling on US allies and partners in Asia to swiftly upgrade their defences in the face of mounting threats. - 'Wake-up call' Hegseth described China's conduct as a "wake-up call", accusing Beijing of endangering lives with cyber attacks, harassing its neighbours, and "illegally seizing and militarising lands" in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire disputed waterway, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. It has clashed repeatedly with the Philippines in the strategic waters in recent months, with the flashpoint set to dominate discussions at the Singapore defence forum, according to US officials. As Hegseth spoke in Singapore, China's military announced that its navy and air force were carrying out routine "combat readiness patrols" around the Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks Beijing disputes with the Philippines. "China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has only increased in recent years," Casey Mace, charge d'affaires at the US embassy in Singapore, told journalists ahead of the meeting. "I think that this type of forum is exactly the type of forum where we need to have an exchange on that." Beijing has not sent any top defence ministry officials to the summit, dispatching a delegation from the People's Liberation Army National Defence University instead. Hegseth's hard-hitting address drew a critical reaction from Chinese analysts at the conference. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University told reporters the speech was "very unfriendly" and "very confrontational", accusing Washington of double standards in demanding Beijing respect its neighbours while bullying its own -- including Canada and Greenland. Former Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, from the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University told AFP that training drills did not mean China would invade Taiwan, saying the government wanted "peaceful reunification". Hegseth's comments came after Trump stoked new trade tensions with China, arguing that Beijing had "violated" a deal to de-escalate tariffs as the two sides appeared deadlocked in negotiations. The world's two biggest economies had agreed to temporarily lower eye-watering tariffs they had imposed on each other, pausing them for 90 days. But on Friday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US", without providing details. 'Priority theatre' Reassuring US allies on Saturday, Hegseth said the Indo-Pacific was "America's priority theatre", pledging to ensure "China cannot dominate us -- or our allies and partners". He said the United States had stepped up cooperation with allies including the Philippines and Japan, and reiterated Trump's vow that "China will not invade (Taiwan) on his watch". But he called on US partners in the region to ramp up spending on their militaries and "quickly upgrade their own defences". "Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example," Hegseth said, citing pledges by NATO members including Germany to move toward Trump's spending target of five percent of GDP. "Deterrence doesn't come on the cheap." Originally published on France24
